Kevin McStay: Tyrone to edge clash of Ulster titans

Conor McManus' absence from the Monaghan starting line-up would be huge, according to Kevin McStay

Monaghan and Tyrone could be the tightest game in this season’s football championship, according to Kevin McStay.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport ahead of the keenly anticipated Ulster SFC quarter-final clash between the sides, McStay said both had the potential to be in with a shout of winning the All-Ireland title.

“It really is the big one,” McStay said of the game. “I’d say it’s the first championship game this season where both teams are realy contenders for the province, and even beyond that for the All-Ireland series as well. That’s how good both teams are.”

McStay described Conor McManus’ absence from the Monaghan starting line-up as “huge”, but pointed out that Tyrone would be themselves be missing Conor Clarke.

“Carlow are just in poor, poor shape,” he said. “They’ve had a wretched league. They can’t really get their best 15 out, for whatever reason.”

He said Meath were on the rise, “but it’s a gentle enough rise, it has to be said. [They have] a lot of key players out – Conor Gillespie not there this season with injury – but they have way, way, way way too much for Carlow, and they’ll win by whatever they want to win by.”